Jade Pearce boxes for the Commonwealth title on June 20 in Eston
Middlesbrough boxer Jade Pearce with her coaches, including Dad John (left) and promoter Carl Greaves (right)(Image: Carl Greaves Promotions)
Jade Pearce may have been a late starter in boxing. But the sport is in the proud Teessider’s DNA – and later this month she has chance to make history.
Jade challenges for the Commonwealth super featherweight title in Eston on June 20, on a card which also features Redcar prospect Bobby Dalton. Her fight is the first pro boxing title fight in Middlesbrough since 2007. And if she wins, she’ll become Middlesbrough’s first ever female pro champion.
Jade, now 29, was only 18 when she took up boxing. In that time she’s never shied away from a fight no matter the opponent. And after an amateur career that saw her challenge herself against far more experienced operators, she turned professional almost a year to the day.
She heads into her big title fight with four wins from four. Boxing for such a prestigious title in just her fifth professional fight is perhaps a fast-track. She’s only been in boxing, after all, for just over ten years.
But grandad John Snr was one of the co-founders of Teesside’s famous Wellington ABC, while her coach, and dad, John, is current Wellington head coach, and also a standout amateur who won Commonwealth Games gold in 1998.
It’s little wonder then that, despite her dad trying desperately to steer her away from boxing and into other sports, including hockey, swimming and athletics – all of which she competed at a high level in – boxing was all Jade wanted to do.
“Boxing is definitely in my DNA,” she tells Teesside Live. “It’s hard to explain why, but when I was doing other sports, they just didn’t give me the same buzz. Don’t get me wrong, I just enjoy competing, but there was always that desire to box.
“When I turned 18 it was basically the first and only time I played the ‘I’m an adult now,’ card with my dad. I basically told him, either you train me, or I’ll go elsewhere and train with someone else.
“After three fights he asked if I’d changed my mind, but I think he already knew the answer. There’s something about boxing, and the build-up to a fight, that I just find really exciting.”
Jade’s enthusiasm for the sport is clear. The Wellington Gym, on top of Flares Nightclub on Albert Road is like a second home to Jade. Even before being allowed to box, she would accompany John to sessions and just skip. She just loved being in the gym. The buzz, the history, the smell… her face lights up when she talks being at the Welly.
Now, keeping her out of the place after fights, to allow her body time to recover and recuperate before starting to think about the next fight, is the biggest challenge for her dad.
Jade’s love for boxing carries over into her view on opponents and testing herself too. She challenges for the vacant Commonwealth title on June 20 against Kirsty Hill – who Jade already beat in her third pro fight.
In many ways, it could be argued the Teessider should be walking to the ring as champion. Hill was reigning holder the night they fought. She wanted a non-title fight against Jade, and the governing bodies agreed that, because of Jade’s lack of pro experience, there was no obligation for the York-born fighter to defend her strap.
Jade took the fight anyway, knowing how beneficial it would be in any case to beat the champion. She did exactly that, on points, and as a result the title was vacated, with the upcoming contest ordered to settle who should hold the belt.
“It was a good fight first time,” Jade said. “I learned a lot from it and hopefully what I’ve learned we can come into this one and be even better this time.
“Over ten rounds, I think my engine will show. I’ve always been able to last the distance, and I think the extra four rounds this time around will actually benefit me.
“I’m in the gym training constantly. I spar three-minute rounds, even though we only fight over two-minutes in the actual bouts. So I know I can last the pace.”
She continued: “I’m so excited for this fight. It feels massive to not only be fighting for a title, but doing it in my hometown as well. It’s amazing.
“This is just the first step for me though. My target is the very top. I won’t be happy with just the Commonwealth title. My aim in boxing is to become a world champion. This would be a good step towards that.”
Jade’s title fight is part of the Shamrock Promotions show at Eston Leisure Centre on June 20. As well as Jade and Bobby Dalton’s bouts, Redcar amateur standout Ben Jarvis makes his pro debut, as does Catterick’s amateur national champion Sophia Maycroft.
Doors open at 6pm, with the first bell at 6.30pm. Tickets start at £50 and can be bought directly from the boxers or through the ticketline: 07563 769387.